Ordinary Lies Series Two, Red Productions for BBC1

Original Music by Kevin Sargent

Latest

Sky scores high with Ratburger

Sky One enjoyed its highest ratings ever among 5-14 year olds, and the highest overall for five years with the Christmas Eve treat Ratburger, adapted by Kevin Cecil and David Walliams from the latter’s book. Starring Sheridan Smith, Walliams himself and newcomer Talia Barnett, it tells the story of young Zoe who, bullied at school, befriends a dancing rat she names Armitage. However, the evil Burt (Walliams) has plans to turn Armitage into one of his revolting burgers and a series of disappearances adds to the mystery. Plans are in place for a digital release of the soundtrack soon.

BASF

Brings Power to the Dispossessed

The problem with traditional utility poles for power and communication cables is that weight and rigidity makes them vulnerable to extreme winds and weather. German company BASF have developed an ultra-light pole of glass-fibre and polyurethane composite called Elastolit® which can withstand freak storms due to an ability to ‘bend with the wind’. Stuart Douglas’ stirring ad for Leagas Delaney London showcases the life-saving qualities of this innovative product and features music by Kevin.

Kevin Scores World Cup Winning Goal in Tina and Bobby

England’s original footballing jetset-couple Tina and Bobby Moore airs on Friday nights in January 2017 in ITV’s 3×60 primetime three-parter. It stars Michelle Keegan as Tina, Lorne McFadyen as Bobby. Directed by John McKay and produced by Spencer Campbell from a script by Lauren Klee.

Ordinary Lies Returns to BBC1

Red Productions’ highly successful ensemble series returns to our screens with an completely new cast and setting, the secret lives of the staff at a South Wales warehouse.

Sweet Dreams for Avon

Kevin has scored the new Avon Dreams fragrance commercial for Leagas Delaney with a delicate, haunting song co-written with vocalist Helen Hamilton formerly of London band Death Rattle. Directed by Kathi Prosser via The Sweet Shop, it first airs from February 1st across Eastern Europe and South Africa and then online worldwide.

The Right Time for Patek Philippe

The world’s finest handmade watches deserve music of equal distinction; Kevin’s beautiful, timeless composition ‘Tick Tock’ emphasises the emotions in Patek Philippe’s new Global Generations film. Tender scenes of a parent and child in a variety of cultures – London, Geneva, Tokyo, Shanghai and New York – demonstrate “You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely look after it for the next generation.”

‘Eclectronica’ Score for hit show Ordinary Lies

This new six-part series from writer Danny Brocklehurst (Shameless, The Driver) has been getting excellent reviews and a passionate response from millions of viewers. Directed by John McKay and Juliet May, and produced for Red Productions by Tom Sherry, it examines the lives – and lies – of the staff at a used car-dealership somewhere in the north of England. A superb cast of familiar faces including Max Beesley, Jo Joyner, Sally Lindsay, Mackenzie Crook, Jason Manford and Michelle Keegan feature in these modern morality tales. Kevin performed much of the highly-original score himself, which combines mandolin, ukelele, bouzouki, autoharp, boomwhackers and banjo with synthetic textures in what he calls ‘eclectronica’.

Double BAFTA Nomination for The Wrong Mans

Best Scripted Comedy

The Wrong Mans Series Two has been nominated for two BAFTAs. Not only have Mathew and James have been recognised in the Comedy Writer category, but the series has received a nomination for Best Scripted Comedy. Congratulations to director/producer Jim Field Smith and all the talented contributors involved.

Bumper BBC Christmas

There’s no escaping Kevin’s music this Christmas.

The Wrong Mans returns for two new sixty-minute episodes at 9pm on BBC2 on December 22nd and 23rd. Sam and Phil find themselves trapped on a witness protection scheme near the Texas border and need all their ingenuity to get back home. The score was recorded and mixed at Kevin’s home studio with Steve Parr engineering.

Steve Pemberton (The League of Gentlemen, Happy Valley) has adapted E F Benson’s much-loved Mapp & Lucia books for BBC1, airing on 29th, 30th and 31st December at 9pm. Kevin wrote the major character themes before even seeing a frame of film. The orchestra was recorded over three days at Angel Studios with Gary Thomas and Steve Price, and mixed at Kevin’s home studio by Steve Parr. There are plans afoot for an orchestral suite from the score.

With an impressive supporting cast including Dougray Scott and Nick Moran and directed by BAFTA & Emmy-nominated Jim Field Smith (Episodes), the story follows two lowly but well-meaning council workers who stumble into a vicious gangland conspiracy.

It marks the first co-production between BBC and US web TV channel Hulu.

Silva Screen Release The Hour Soundtrack

Excited to announce that Kevin’s Bafta-nominated music from the second series of the highly-acclaimed 1950s newsroom drama has been released on CD and download by film music specialists Silva Screen. The release also features Daniel Giorgetti’s title cues and songs from the El Paradis Club performed by Hannah Tointon. The CD package includes a handsome illustrated booklet with full musician credits. The project was coordinated beautifully by Danny Layton at Shine.

BAFTA Nominations for The Hour

Best Original Music

Extremely proud that series two of The Hour has gained four nominations in the BAFTA Television awards 2013: Best Sound, Editing, Production Design and for Kevin’s work in Original Music. Peter Capaldi (pictured here with Anna Chancellor – Photo: Kudos/BBC) is nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Randall Brown, as well as a second nomination for his performance in The Thick of It.

A little bit more about me …

Kevin Sargent

BAFTA-nominated composer

Kevin Sargent is composer based in London. He was nominated for a BAFTA for his work on The Hour (BBC/Kudos) and an Ivor Novello Award for A Waste of Shame (BBCTV).

His score for the BBC’s recent Mapp and Lucia received a nomination from the Royal Television Society for Best Original Music and We’ll Take Manhattan received Music+Sound International Award nominations for both Best Title Music and Original Score.

As a pianist, he earned acclaim for his recording of the Malcolm Arnold double piano concertos with the Ulster Orchestra, released on the Naxos label and broadcast on BBC Radio 3.

He began an eclectic professional career signed to A&M and Elektra Records in the USA, as drummer/percussionist and later keyboardist with Thrashing Doves, recording three albums and touring the USA, working with producers including Chris Thomas, Arthur Baker, Jimmy Iovine and Tommy Lipuma.

Killing Joe which he scored was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short.

Theatre work includes original scores and arrangements for Chris Lynam’s The Popcorn Club and Eric The Fred, and numerous appearances with The Hurricane Club improvisation group in London’s West End as both musician and improviser.

With music, I usually reckon on either
the process or the result being rewarding.
With Kevin, it’s both.

Lee Thomas, Pipedream Pictures

His work in commercials has won several awards including D&AD Gold Pencil and Creative Circle Golds for Barclays, and British Advertising Craft Award Best Music nomination for Adidas. Other brands include Guinness, Patek Philippe, Harrods, Tropicana, Penfolds, Financial Times and Sony Playstation.

He is currently working on songs for a stage project, a chamber concerto for saxophone and adapting his score from Mapp and Lucia into an orchestral suite.